The star said he was now living a much more sedate lifestyle and enjoyed watching ITV soap Coronation Street.

“I watch Corrie especially because it’s more of a laugh. Even when life is tragic on Coronation Street, it’s still funny,” he said.

But he criticised EastEnders’ for its treatment of gay characters.

He said: “I hope for their sakes and the sake of gay kids in this country, regardless of their cultural background, that EastEnders gets a clue and begins to acknowledge their responsibility and provide us with gay characters that have no reason to live in fear. We do exist.”

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